The best places to eat poke in Honolulu

By Jeanne Cooper| 3 years ago

In ancient times, Hawaiians would poke (meaning cut) tuna, octopus or virtually any seafood into small pieces and eat it raw, perhaps with a pinch of sea salt, chopped kukui nut and limu, an edible seaweed.

Today, it might be served with a bit more sass but not much has changed. These are our favourite three places to hit up...

1

Nico’s Fish Market

Image: Nico's Fish Market

On the waterfront

It’s hard to get closer to the source of poke than this handsome market run by Nico’s Pier 38, a revered seafood restaurant in view of the local fishing fleet. While ahi’s still the star of the show, feel free to branch out with aku (bonito) or au (marlin), not to mention kim chee shrimp or lomi lomi salmon. After you order a poke bowl, layer on savory toppings such as furikake, Hawaiian sea salt (with or without the tinge of red clay) and sesame seeds, and enjoy it at a patio table on the pier.

Locals flock to this friendly take-away counter for ahi (yellowfin tuna) and tako (octopus) poke in eight varieties, ordered by weight or as a "bowl"— a polystyrene box with a large scoop of poke heaped on brown or white rice. The bowls are a true bargain, starting at $8, with a free soda or juice. Start with the classic Hawaiian or spicy ahi poke, and check the fridge for delectable sides such as seaweed salad or smoked tako. Be careful to park in one of the designated stalls at the bank next door to avoid being towed.

That’s right: One of Honolulu’s premier poke purveyors is actually a liquor store, with an extensive counter of sashimi-grade ahi and other seafood poke, prepared fresh daily. Pick up one of 10-plus poke bowls and a six-pack of the local lager—Maui Brewing’s Bikini Blonde or Kona Brewing Company’s Longboard—to enjoy back at your hotel (since drinking booze on the beach is not allowed). Buckaroos should try the spicy pipikaula, a Hawaiian version of beef jerky. Note: This is one of five Tamura’s on Oahu, with another four on Maui.